Art And Handicrafts in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is a land of beautiful handicrafts comprising wide range in variety. All the people have a tradition of artistic craftsmanship. A wide variety of crafts such as weaving painting, pottery, smithy work, basketry, woodcarving etc. are found among the people of Arunachal Pradesh.

From the point of view of art and culture the area may very conveniently be divided into three zones. The first zone includes the Buddhist tribes i.e. the Sherdukpens and Monpas and also to some extent the Khowa, Aka and Miji group; the Membas, Khambas, the Khamtis and Singphos. The people of the first one make beautiful masks.They also periodically stage pantomimes and mask dances.

Making of beautiful carpets, painted wooden vessels and silver articles are, however, the speciality of the Monpas. The people of the second zone are expert workers in cane and bamboo. The Apantanis, Hill Miris and Adis make beautiful articles of these materials, which speak eloquently about their skill in handicrafts. The second cultural zone occupies the central part from East Kameng in the west to Lohit in the east. The third zone is formed by the southeastern part of the territory.

They also weave articles that are in common use in their daily life. The shawls and Jackets of the Apantanis, the Adis Gale and shoulder bag and the Mishmi's coat and shawl are symbolic of the high weaving talents and artistic sense of the people.

The people of the third zone are famous for their woodcarving. The Wanchos, however, weave beautiful bag and loin cloth also. Goat’s hair, ivory, boar’s tusks, beads of agats and other stones as well as of brass and glass are special fascinations of the people of this zone.

The Central Zone Art and Craft at Arunachal Pradesh that are produced in the central region of the state are also unique in their appeal. This is the area where the wonderful bamboo and cane objects of Arunachal Pradesh are made that are popular all across the world. The cane objects and the bamboo objects can be utility objects like hats and baskets, they can also be purely decorative in purpose. All in all, the bamboo and cane objects can be said to be the highlight of Arunachal Pradesh arts and crafts. The Southeastern Zone Wood carving is the specialty of the Southeastern region of Arunachal Pradesh. Art and crafts in Arunachal Pradesh from this region of the state, feature not only wood carving but also exquisite ornament making and stone carving as well. Apart from the carving on the wood, the paper extracted out of the wood are also used for making various art objects, that is a significant part of Arunachal Pradesh arts and crafts.